Denver, much of northeast Colorado under heat advisory Saturday

Metro Denver and most of northeastern Colorado are under a heat advisory Saturday as the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures soaring above 100 degrees.

The seven-county metro area, along with Larimer and Weld counties, also are under an ozone action-day health alert issued until at least 4 p.m. by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Because of poor air quality, officials are urging people to reduce outdoor exertion during the daytime hours, especially if they have asthma or other respiratory conditions.

We have maintained our Heat Advisory for much of the plains of northeast Colorado today from 10 AM to 8 PM. Expect very hot temperatures with highs exceeding 100 F in much of the warned area. #COwx pic.twitter.com/2YJKZiuta3

— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) July 9, 2022

The heat advisory took effect at 10 a.m. and is in effect until 8 p.m. Saturday, the weather service says. Forecasts call for high temperatures of up to 103 degrees along the Interstate 25 corridor and the northeast plains.

The forecast for downtown Denver is a high of 101 degrees, with some wind gusts and a 10% chance of rain and thunderstorms after 5 p.m.

“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, limit time out in the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors,” the heat advisory says. “Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”

There is little precipitation in the forecast Saturday, though the mountains and foothills south of Interstate 70, along with Palmer Ridge to the south, could see isolated or scattered rain showers and thunderstorms later in the day, the weather service forecasts.